Itoje puts Jones friendship on hold for Wales clash

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London - Former British and Irish Lions room-mates Maro
Itoje and Alun Wyn Jones will become fierce opponents when England face Wales
in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Both teams head into the second-round fixture on the back of
convincing wins last weekend, with the battle between powerhouse forwards Itoje
and Jones one of several intriguing duels in this Anglo-Welsh clash.

The duo struck up a friendship during the Lions' tour of New
Zealand last year, where a combined side coached by Wales boss Warren Gatland
defied the predictions of many pundits to hold the world champion All Blacks to
a 1-1 draw in a three-match series.

Off the field they have since engaged in a series of jokey
exchanges, with England rising star Itoje pointing out that Jones is becoming
increasingly bald, while the Wales great has 'complained' about the refusal of
the Saracens second row to share his cocoa butter.

"We got on very well during the Lions tour, although
his musical tastes are very different to mine," Itoje said on Wednesday.

As for Jones's cocoa butter moan, Itoje replied: "First
of all he didn't ask and secondly he doesn't use it. He'll be all right."

Itoje is still at the start of his Test career, with 18 caps
compared to the 123 won by veteran lock Jones.

"Alun's very professional, trains hard and is diligent
with his preparation," Itoje said.

"Obviously going on tour you spend time with the other
home nations and you pick up things.

"Alun has a good work rate and works very hard. He's a
nice guy as well. I got on very well with him on tour. It was a good
experience."

However, Itoje added: "But that isn't even in the slightest
bit difficult for me. It's a completely different setting, different team,
different environment.

"There will be a lot of passion. It will be intense. It
will be physical. It is a great game to be a part of and I'm sure Twickenham
will be rocking."

Tuesday saw Gatland name the same Wales starting XV that
impressed in a 34-7 thrashing of Scotland in Cardiff last weekend, with the
only change coming on the bench as fit-again wing George North replaced Owen
Watkin.

England boss Eddie Jones is due to reveal his side on
Thursday and only one change to the match day 23 that overpowered Italy 46-15
is expected.

Richard Wigglesworth is set to provide bench cover for
scrumhalf Danny Care after England's first-choice No 9 Ben Youngs suffered a
tournament-ending knee injury at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

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